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Walking the Knife's Edge
It’s hard to focus on your studies when you’re from the wrong side of town, your dad’s an abusive prick and classmates are intimidated by your skills at hand to hand combat. But for Rarkin, getting into Sythe School means monsters, the chance to contain ones that stray into human occupied zones, and the opportunity to do something meaningful with his life. Even better; it includes an Electric Way pass out of town and travel beyond city limits.
Rarkin seizes his chance at his dream job with everything he’s got, forcing down traumatic memories to focus on work he knows he could love. But it’s a dangerous time to be holding everything in, to have little contact with friends like brothers, or to be keeping new friends at arm’s length.
Sythe’s nemesis, Organised Crime is no longer playing by the ‘rules,’ and Rarkin and his classmates are on the front line. Organised Crime’s bold new tactics tear at the bandages of Rarkin’s unhealed wounds and his unresolved CPTSD.
To be the person Rarkin doesn’t believe people saying he can be, he must change his toxically masculine approach to emotions, and break the cycle of violence in his family. If he doesn’t make peace with his past and stop fighting EVERYTHING, he’s on the road to self destruction. In working for Sythe; Rarkin is Walking the Knife’s Edge.
Rarkin seizes his chance at his dream job with everything he’s got, forcing down traumatic memories to focus on work he knows he could love. But it’s a dangerous time to be holding everything in, to have little contact with friends like brothers, or to be keeping new friends at arm’s length.
Sythe’s nemesis, Organised Crime is no longer playing by the ‘rules,’ and Rarkin and his classmates are on the front line. Organised Crime’s bold new tactics tear at the bandages of Rarkin’s unhealed wounds and his unresolved CPTSD.
To be the person Rarkin doesn’t believe people saying he can be, he must change his toxically masculine approach to emotions, and break the cycle of violence in his family. If he doesn’t make peace with his past and stop fighting EVERYTHING, he’s on the road to self destruction. In working for Sythe; Rarkin is Walking the Knife’s Edge.
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About the author
Elise Carlson
6 books35 followersElise is a restless adventurer and passionate educator, with an endless list of 'what if?' questions to explore in epic fantasy and SciFi-Fantasy. They write neurodiverse, queer-led adventures for those who may age, but will never get old.
You'll find more about them on their website: https://elisecarlson.com.
And a free taste of their action-packed, fast-paced YA Fantasy via: https://elisecarlson.com/newsletter/.
You'll find more about them on their website: https://elisecarlson.com.
And a free taste of their action-packed, fast-paced YA Fantasy via: https://elisecarlson.com/newsletter/.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 12, 2025
I am one of the judges of team Space Girls for the SPSFC5 contest. This review is my personal opinion. Officially, it is still in the running for the contest, pending any official team announcements.
Status: Yes
Read: 32%
This is the first book I have sampled from this author. I have been interested in reading their Roman Civilization inspired work Rebellion is Due, and after enjoying this sample, I am likely going to try out that book sometime.
When I first saw Walking the Knife's Edge book cover, I instantly surmised the plot was: contemporary zombie apocalypse read featuring rebellious teenager alongside his resourceful mom.
Initial scenes decipting white picket fence houses with grass yards ending up dilapidated the closer the reader reaches Brock Heights slum increased these suspicions. This assumption was further cemented because a large portion of the plot surrounds the Sythe militia being trained to quench civil unrest and dangerous monster incursions.
However, as the story advances, it becomes obvious this is an alternate world happening 600 years after a nuclear fallout. The dark ages have passed and now the world has entered an era of relative prosperity. Population mixing has made recessive genes for blue eyes and blond hair to become relatively unusual and queer relationships span a large swath of the population. This society has adopted their own unique ways to cataloque various sexual preferences alongside classifying neurodiversity as a sort of identification variant. Most Scythes seem to work rutinary desk jobs and only a handful living within Berillia City ever see greater action than sedating errant wild monsters.
It's an interesting society because it seems so progressive in some ways, while being horrifically unequal in others. Healthcare is not a human right, the only healers forcibly need the physical aptitude to become Scythes, streets have potholes and there is a weak system to get abused women out of dangerous situations. Widows of government employees that die before retirement are also left penniless without any stipend even when they have underage children. Scythes spend more time guarding empty buildings instead of arresting violent drunkards even if they are guilty of attempted murder. Furthermore, magic is seen as a valuable rare (and dangerous) asset. However, the government isn't expending great efforts locating children and properly training them.
There are a few details in this society that didn't entirely add up to me, but the book hints the protagonist's Uncle Alan either isn't fully aware of everything going on or worries disrupting the toxic family dynamic would risk his sister's life.
So, if the book isn't about zombies in a fresh apocalypse, what is the plot?
Mostly a Coming of Age story with some Sci Fi elements about a teenager named Rarkin who juggles between excelling in Scythe school while struggling with his abusive father. Readers that get triggered by spousal physical, economic and emotional abuse might want to skim through the first 15% of the book where the strongest content appears. Most of the scenes are not particularly violent, but they are gripping from Rarkin's POV. The dynamic portrayal is realistic and well done. Which is why I add this forewarning for readers to be mentally prepared. Deciptions of Rarkin's behavior at school make perfect sense and the reader is already seeing him change for the better at the 30% point of the novel.
I decided to continue reading a bit over the 30% point because this is the end of the first phase of the novel. If there was only one complaint I had about the book, I felt the scenes about exploring every classmate's sexuality slowed down the story pace quite a bit. It seems like the book wants to focus a bit more on the protagonist's personal growth, which will delight some readers. Other readers like me would have liked to continue learning more about their societal problems. This is just a personal preference and I think readers that don't mind the slower introspective scenes will love them.
From the sample cutoff point, the story is in motion and lots of new things are being discovered. I am voting Yes for this book to continue in the competition.
----
Update:
Bit of an apology for delaying the review, I have been traveling quite a bit and finally have a sleepy afternoon to spare writing this review update.
I certainly like where the book ends. From the beginning, we knew Rarkin's immediate goal was to stop living under his abusive father's yoke and become a Syther. At the first 30% of the book, teachers have been promoting him ahead of his peers due to immense leadership potential while he is starting to get treatment for the PTSD from his rough upbringing.
The book continues on a similar note, without veering too far away from its established course. To the degree that reading the final 70% of the book felt somewhat redundant because most of Rarkin's personal growth happened at the 30% point. If anything, the remainder of the book watches him continue getting better at working with teammates, slowly shed his fears, forgive himself and maybe start showing outward feelings for someone (spoiler). As such, the mental health aspect of the book is clearly its main focus, so readers should enter it with the right expectaions. And I applaud the book for taking this huge creative risk because it would be a difficult sell within trad circles where editors would hope this book would be more similar to the action-packed aspects of Divergent by Veronica Roth.
However, I do feel the kidnappings and false flags that nearly commenced a war between two rival city-states could have been explored more. Events happening halfway into the book that would have been fuel for conflict (especially since Rarkin is training to become a paramilitary peacekeeper) become left forgotten 2 chapters later. Another thing that Rarkin discovers early in this book with immense stakes if everyone found out are also left forgotten. I will assume these two key events will become the central conflicts in book 2 of the series. However, I felt the foreshadowing could have left greater impacts in book 1 beyond Rarkin's coming of age journey.
Putting that aside, I feel glad I read this book to completion and hope other readers give it a try.
4 stars!
Status: Yes
Read: 32%
This is the first book I have sampled from this author. I have been interested in reading their Roman Civilization inspired work Rebellion is Due, and after enjoying this sample, I am likely going to try out that book sometime.
When I first saw Walking the Knife's Edge book cover, I instantly surmised the plot was: contemporary zombie apocalypse read featuring rebellious teenager alongside his resourceful mom.
Initial scenes decipting white picket fence houses with grass yards ending up dilapidated the closer the reader reaches Brock Heights slum increased these suspicions. This assumption was further cemented because a large portion of the plot surrounds the Sythe militia being trained to quench civil unrest and dangerous monster incursions.
However, as the story advances, it becomes obvious this is an alternate world happening 600 years after a nuclear fallout. The dark ages have passed and now the world has entered an era of relative prosperity. Population mixing has made recessive genes for blue eyes and blond hair to become relatively unusual and queer relationships span a large swath of the population. This society has adopted their own unique ways to cataloque various sexual preferences alongside classifying neurodiversity as a sort of identification variant. Most Scythes seem to work rutinary desk jobs and only a handful living within Berillia City ever see greater action than sedating errant wild monsters.
It's an interesting society because it seems so progressive in some ways, while being horrifically unequal in others. Healthcare is not a human right, the only healers forcibly need the physical aptitude to become Scythes, streets have potholes and there is a weak system to get abused women out of dangerous situations. Widows of government employees that die before retirement are also left penniless without any stipend even when they have underage children. Scythes spend more time guarding empty buildings instead of arresting violent drunkards even if they are guilty of attempted murder. Furthermore, magic is seen as a valuable rare (and dangerous) asset. However, the government isn't expending great efforts locating children and properly training them.
There are a few details in this society that didn't entirely add up to me, but the book hints the protagonist's Uncle Alan either isn't fully aware of everything going on or worries disrupting the toxic family dynamic would risk his sister's life.
So, if the book isn't about zombies in a fresh apocalypse, what is the plot?
Mostly a Coming of Age story with some Sci Fi elements about a teenager named Rarkin who juggles between excelling in Scythe school while struggling with his abusive father. Readers that get triggered by spousal physical, economic and emotional abuse might want to skim through the first 15% of the book where the strongest content appears. Most of the scenes are not particularly violent, but they are gripping from Rarkin's POV. The dynamic portrayal is realistic and well done. Which is why I add this forewarning for readers to be mentally prepared. Deciptions of Rarkin's behavior at school make perfect sense and the reader is already seeing him change for the better at the 30% point of the novel.
I decided to continue reading a bit over the 30% point because this is the end of the first phase of the novel. If there was only one complaint I had about the book, I felt the scenes about exploring every classmate's sexuality slowed down the story pace quite a bit. It seems like the book wants to focus a bit more on the protagonist's personal growth, which will delight some readers. Other readers like me would have liked to continue learning more about their societal problems. This is just a personal preference and I think readers that don't mind the slower introspective scenes will love them.
From the sample cutoff point, the story is in motion and lots of new things are being discovered. I am voting Yes for this book to continue in the competition.
----
Update:
Bit of an apology for delaying the review, I have been traveling quite a bit and finally have a sleepy afternoon to spare writing this review update.
I certainly like where the book ends. From the beginning, we knew Rarkin's immediate goal was to stop living under his abusive father's yoke and become a Syther. At the first 30% of the book, teachers have been promoting him ahead of his peers due to immense leadership potential while he is starting to get treatment for the PTSD from his rough upbringing.
The book continues on a similar note, without veering too far away from its established course. To the degree that reading the final 70% of the book felt somewhat redundant because most of Rarkin's personal growth happened at the 30% point. If anything, the remainder of the book watches him continue getting better at working with teammates, slowly shed his fears, forgive himself and maybe start showing outward feelings for someone (spoiler). As such, the mental health aspect of the book is clearly its main focus, so readers should enter it with the right expectaions. And I applaud the book for taking this huge creative risk because it would be a difficult sell within trad circles where editors would hope this book would be more similar to the action-packed aspects of Divergent by Veronica Roth.
However, I do feel the kidnappings and false flags that nearly commenced a war between two rival city-states could have been explored more. Events happening halfway into the book that would have been fuel for conflict (especially since Rarkin is training to become a paramilitary peacekeeper) become left forgotten 2 chapters later. Another thing that Rarkin discovers early in this book with immense stakes if everyone found out are also left forgotten. I will assume these two key events will become the central conflicts in book 2 of the series. However, I felt the foreshadowing could have left greater impacts in book 1 beyond Rarkin's coming of age journey.
Putting that aside, I feel glad I read this book to completion and hope other readers give it a try.
4 stars!
September 22, 2025
Rarkin is a teenager trying to forge a place for himself in a sci-fi/fantasy world, with high technology, fragmented governments, and powerful organized crime groups.
Newly accepted into advanced schooling, where he will learn to fight, shoot, and wrangle monsters, Rarkin would already have his hands full. But he is also struggling to overcome trauma, which has left him with CPTSD and an inability to truly trust and rely on others.
To get his dream job, however, he must be able to work in a team, so he begins his journey to overcome these challenges with the help of his new friends, and therapist. As he establishes new relationships, Rarkin works to let his guard down and trust others, allowing them into his life in ways he never has before.
And they will need that trust, because danger is stirring around the edges, with a powerful crime syndicate beginning to make moves that will threaten Rarkin, his friends, and their society as a whole.
An excellent mixture of grounded, personal exploration and fantasy stakes, this story explores Rarkin’s relationship with his classmates, family, neurodiversity, and sexuality, against the backdrop of a world rife with monsters and dangerous organized crime. With a cast of teenagers discovering themselves and their identities, this book also features great LGBTQIA+ representation.
This is a deeply personal story in a fascinating fantasy world that leaves you wanting more, as this is only the beginning of Rarkin’s journey. He is a compelling character, and I am looking forward to book 2 in the series!
(Note: I read an advanced copy of this book for free and am leaving this review freely, because I enjoyed it!)
Newly accepted into advanced schooling, where he will learn to fight, shoot, and wrangle monsters, Rarkin would already have his hands full. But he is also struggling to overcome trauma, which has left him with CPTSD and an inability to truly trust and rely on others.
To get his dream job, however, he must be able to work in a team, so he begins his journey to overcome these challenges with the help of his new friends, and therapist. As he establishes new relationships, Rarkin works to let his guard down and trust others, allowing them into his life in ways he never has before.
And they will need that trust, because danger is stirring around the edges, with a powerful crime syndicate beginning to make moves that will threaten Rarkin, his friends, and their society as a whole.
An excellent mixture of grounded, personal exploration and fantasy stakes, this story explores Rarkin’s relationship with his classmates, family, neurodiversity, and sexuality, against the backdrop of a world rife with monsters and dangerous organized crime. With a cast of teenagers discovering themselves and their identities, this book also features great LGBTQIA+ representation.
This is a deeply personal story in a fascinating fantasy world that leaves you wanting more, as this is only the beginning of Rarkin’s journey. He is a compelling character, and I am looking forward to book 2 in the series!
(Note: I read an advanced copy of this book for free and am leaving this review freely, because I enjoyed it!)
January 8, 2026
Dear author, I am afraid your beta readers aren’t very good at their job. Please find better ones. Why are there two chapters 11? Why are there two chapters 26? (At least in my version of the book, I do hope this got fixed) Why are two days of the week named the same? Some of the sentences are written so strangely they made me want to tear my hair out. (English is not my first language, mind you, so the fact that some of the mistakes were that bad is kind of concerning) As a reader, I would like to say that being forced to read sentences like : “…. to keep electricity running through its fences, so the fences run parallel to settlements…” isn’t very enjoyable. Also is Rarkin (the main character) a seer or something? Why does he know Miona’s name before she introduces herself? I had a lot of moments of confusion reading this book.
The characters themselves are pretty likable. Rarkin is good representation, his reactions are pretty realistic. I like that he actually got therapy. His new friend Miona is also great. They go to syther school, do some field work… The book is full of fantastical creatures (which I like) that sometimes don’t make sense (which I don’t like as someone who does biology, but seeing as it’s not based on reality I guess I can forgive that) The author is pretty good at world building, there is a lot of lore. Sometimes I had to read it multiple times to understand it though (I had to write down a lot of notes), which isn’t great.
I can see a lot of effort went into this, and it could be great with some editing. I am giving this three stars, but I honestly had to push myself through reading this, so I can’t rate it better.
The characters themselves are pretty likable. Rarkin is good representation, his reactions are pretty realistic. I like that he actually got therapy. His new friend Miona is also great. They go to syther school, do some field work… The book is full of fantastical creatures (which I like) that sometimes don’t make sense (which I don’t like as someone who does biology, but seeing as it’s not based on reality I guess I can forgive that) The author is pretty good at world building, there is a lot of lore. Sometimes I had to read it multiple times to understand it though (I had to write down a lot of notes), which isn’t great.
I can see a lot of effort went into this, and it could be great with some editing. I am giving this three stars, but I honestly had to push myself through reading this, so I can’t rate it better.
Read
July 1, 2026A solid YA sci-fantasy with a queer and neurodiverse cast.
What stood out for me was the depiction of domestic abuse, dependency, and CPTSD experienced by the POV protagonist. It was both confronting and compelling to be inside the head of this character, and for this reason alone I'd recommend this book to challenge your comfort zone without going full grimdark.
I'm already reading book 2.
What stood out for me was the depiction of domestic abuse, dependency, and CPTSD experienced by the POV protagonist. It was both confronting and compelling to be inside the head of this character, and for this reason alone I'd recommend this book to challenge your comfort zone without going full grimdark.
I'm already reading book 2.
May 17, 2026
A very unique coming of age story. Abusive background makes good despite all they've been through. LGBTQ+ kids portrayed as the real people they are. Good action and storyline. Lovable, relatable characters. Well worth the read.
February 23, 2026
This was a fun start to the Sythe Series. Lots of action, a likeable cast, and emotional scenes keep the reader engaged. Looking forward to book 2!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews